Question

2.3.7 quiz: analyze gothic elements in literature
question 1 of 10
at the beginning of \the black cat,\ the narrator doesnt explain what he did to deserve death as a consequence of his actions. what effect does this withholding of information create?
a. it urges the reader to use outside sources to find information.
b. it forces the reader to suspend disbelief in order to understand the story.
c. it allows the reader to better understand the motivation of the narrator.
d. it increases suspense so that the reader must continue reading to find answers.

Explanation:

In literature, withholding information at the start of a story is a common technique to build suspense. When the narrator of The Black Cat doesn't immediately explain his actions leading to a death sentence, it makes the reader curious. The reader wants to know what he did, so they keep reading.

• Option A: There's no indication the story wants readers to use outside sources. The story itself will likely reveal the information.
• Option B: Suspending disbelief is more about accepting the story's world (e.g., a talking animal in a fantasy). This is about suspense, not disbelief in the story's basic premise.
• Option C: Since the information is withheld, it's harder (not easier) to understand the narrator's motivation at this point.
• Option D: By not revealing the information, suspense is increased. The reader is hooked and reads on to find out what happened.

Answer:

D. It increases suspense so that the reader must continue reading to find answers.